Q185

The perimeter of the conflict was dense with people. It was difficult for Quick to penetrate it. Suddenly, there was a large explosion and the crowd ran in every direction. Quick stood his ground and now it was apparent to him what was happening.

There was a huge fire consuming a larger building at the front of town. Flames stretched up into the sky as thick black smoke poured from the openings. They made a thundering.sound.

Quick surveyed the entire area, taking in the building, the surroundings, and the crowd.

"My children! My children are in there!"

A piercing scream emanated the thunder. Quick observed a hysterical woman being held firm by another woman- Mary. Then he saw a lone figure- that of a man- dart across the clearing and into the building.

Quick tried to adjust his sensors to compensate for the bright flames, but as the unidentified figure ran in, a portion of wall exploded outward covering the entrance.

There were screams. The childless mother shrieked at the realization that all was lost. Thick smoke was forced out of the new opening and now Quick could see within the second floor.

There was movement within. Instantaneously, a flash lit up the man’s face and Mary cried out.

"Gregor!"

Then Quick understood. His master had invaded the great beast to free the children within. The structure was unsound, the smoke was thick, the heat was overwhelming.

It was Gregor, scooping something up from the floor. His arms were full and he was bent over as debris fell down on top of him. There were precious few moments to escape.

And then the beam fell. A large, wooden cross beam split and was forced down by a crumbling ceiling. It fell right on top of Gregor and the two bundles he protected.

Smoke and dust unsettled, obscuring the crowd’s view.

"He's done for, that fool," said one man.

"They’re all going to burn alive!" cried another.

Cue was frozen. It had all happened so quickly that even his computer mind could not comprehend it. A swift breeze swept across the face of the building, redirecting the smoke and dust, allowing them all to see inside.

Gregor was there like a great Atlas, supporting the severed beam and all its weight with one great arm while holding the two bundles in the other.

The situation was precarious. The beam held the remaining ceiling. If Gregor released his hold, the entire upper structure would come down on them.

Mary could almost see the strain on Gregor. Sweat poured off of him. The hair was singed off his face and head.

"Gregor!"

Tears rolled off Mary's face.

"A lucky turn of events."

Quick looked down at Alice who looked on as her father was exhausting his last bit of strength.

"You do know why we’re here, right?"

The robot turned his attention back to the burning house, calculating what to do.

"Daddy was very upset with my getting the doll. And mommy complained every night at dinner at how you were so slow, Quick."

Alice spoke calmly, relaxed.

"He found out about Mr. Gouche. Gouche came late one night and complained about you."

Quick pulled himself away, Alice’s words trailing, yet pulling at his ear. He was hurrying towards the building now when Alice’s shouts stopped him dead in his tracks.